On Monday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels are suspected of targeting two ships in the Red Sea, exacerbating tensions in the region. The attacks occurred near the site where crews are working to salvage a tanker, the Sounion, which is still burning after an earlier assault by the Houthis. This ongoing conflict has disrupted a significant portion of global trade and aid, impacting goods worth $1 trillion annually that pass through the Red Sea.
The latest incidents in the Red Sea include a ballistic missile attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker Blue Lagoon I, which sustained minimal damage but had no reported injuries among its crew. The vessel, en route from Russia’s Ust-Luga port and heading south through the Red Sea, was previously broadcasting that it carried Russian-origin cargo. The Joint Maritime Information Center reported that the ship did not require assistance following the attack.
Houthi Rebels Suspected in Red Sea Attacks on Oil Tanker and Merchant Ship Amid Ongoing Salvage Operations
In addition to the attack on the Blue Lagoon I, a second assault occurred near the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. An aerial drone targeted a merchant ship, but again, no damage or injuries were reported. This attack happened close to where the Blue Lagoon I was hit, highlighting the increased danger to maritime vessels in the region.
The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for these attacks, which is typical as they often take time to acknowledge their actions. Since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October, the Houthis have launched over 80 attacks on vessels using missiles and drones. Their stated aim is to pressure Israel, the U.S., and the U.K. to cease their operations in Gaza, though many of the targeted ships have no direct link to the conflict.
Efforts to address the environmental risk posed by the Sounion, which carries 1 million barrels of crude oil, are underway. Despite the intention to tow the vessel to safety, ongoing fires and a lack of visible progress in the salvage operation have raised concerns. The vessel remains anchored, and no oil spill has been reported so far. The salvage operation, involving private companies and protected by the European Union’s Operation Aspides, aims to prevent further ecological damage.
